North America Distribution

Facts About

Bristle-leaved sedge is one of the easier sedges to recognize when in fruit: the 3-10 perigynia per spike turn from green to glossy blackish brown, and the leaf blades are 1 mm or less in width. Bristle-leaved sedge is listed as endangered in Maine and New Hampshire.

Habitat

Cliffs, balds, or ledges, woodlands

Characteristics

Habitat

terrestrial

New England state

Connecticut

Maine

Massachusetts

New Hampshire

Vermont

stem leaf blade width

0.2–1 mm

Lowest bract sheath

the lowest bract has a sheath longer than four millimeters

the lowest bract has no sheath (or a very short sheath up to four millimeters in length)

Spike on stalk

the lowest spike on the plant has a peduncle

Top spike

the uppermost spike contains only staminate flowers

Perigynium hairs

the perigynium has no hairs

Perigynium length

1.5–2.2 mm

Leaf sheath color

the leaf sheath has no pink, red or purple tinting

Leaf blade texture

the leaf blade is smooth and hairless, or rough and sandpapery

Perigynium beak teeth

the perigynium beak is not divided at the tip into two teeth, or the teeth are very tiny